Saturday, 19 April 2008, 7:30 AM Flight Houston to Boston; I knew this was going to be a special weekend when my wife, Shay, and I arrived at the gate – at least 12 fellow runners were present sporting their Boston Marathon jackets from various past years. One was as far back as 1994. We arrived in Boston and made our way to Cambridge using the “T”. What a great way to experience this city and learn the true nature of New England.
Preparation
My younger brother, Glen, qualified for Boston in FEB 2007 with a time of 3:12 at the Austin Marathon. Hearing this news and given our competitive relationship, I set a goal to run a Marathon for the first time and also attempt to equal his time or at least also qualify for Boston so that we could take it in together. With this motivation, I ran the Houston Marathon this year and while I didn’t beat my brother’s PR, I did qualify for Boston with a time of 3:15:51, only 8 seconds below the qualifying time.
As we prepared for the race, Glen and I stayed in touch and monitored our progress through the training site, Buckeye Outdoors. As planned, he trained and ran the Austin Marathon this year (February 08) with a time of 3:14. Knowing that he was running slightly faster, I focused my training efforts on achieving a 3:15 using a modified FIRST program. I had hoped that we could run together for most of the race and that I would not be holding him back too much on race day. I was fortunate to have an extended work project in Central Texas during 4 weeks toward the end of the training program, which enabled many tempo and long runs on undulating terrain with elevation changes of 400-500 feet, very similar to the features immediately west of Boston. There was also a high school track nearby that facilitated speed work two nights a week.
One of the highlights of the whole weekend was meeting Steve Runner and John Ellis at the Bill Rogers Running Center in Faneuil Hall on Saturday Night. After meeting up with a formidable group of fellow runners, we proceeded on to the Durgin Park to talk shop and “carbo-load” with a couple of cold Sam Adams. We were thrilled to get to meet Steve and John and are very thankful for all the words of advice from these two great Boston Marathon veterans and running aficionados. I am also personally thankful to Steve for his awesome podcast - Phedippidations. It has served as a personal motivator and is an outstanding forum for our running community. Thanks Steve!
On Sunday morning we proceeded to the EXPO for check-in and also to take in some of the Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials. What a thrill to see these women competing to represent their country in the greatest athletic event in the world. We cheered them all and witnessed their exceptional determination to finish strong. We also got a feel for the support that this great city exhibits to the running community
The night before the race we dined with fellow Texans at Maggianos on Columbus Ave. It was a great event and we were relaxed by the familiar southern drawl, while seated in the heart of New England.
That night in Cambridge, as I pinned on my bib and recharged my Garmin 205, I also printed out Greg Maclin’s Boston Marathon Pacing Plan bracelet with a hopeful time of 3:15:30. This proved to be such a great tool and we owe many thanks to Greg for his efforts in putting this together. I laminated two bracelets one for each of us.
Race Day and Start
On the morning of Marathon Monday, 21 April 2008, I awoke refreshed and ready to run the race of my life. I grabbed a whole wheat bagel + peanut butter from Finagle Bagel, jumped on the T to downtown, and met my brother Glen for a chartered bus to Hopkinton. As we headed out from downtown Boston, we thought we were pretty cool with the ride on this roomy comfortable bus with a bathroom in the back until we arrived in Hopkinton. The driver took a wrong turn and we were forced to disembark and walk a mile up the race course to the start line with about an hour before the start. At least we got an early view of what we would face in the coming hour. As we reached the starting line area, we realized the athlete’s village was a half mile away and we still needed to check our bags. We jogged to the athlete’s village, stowed our bags on the bus and then jogged back to the finish with about ten minutes to spare. We could have used a latrine stop, but the lines were just too long. At the start we assembled in the 6000 series coral and before we knew it the pistol fired and we were on the way to Boston. Overcast skies and low clouds had dominated the morning, however as we crossed the start, the clouds suddenly broke up and the sun emerged. Perfect conditions – 50 degrees F, low winds and clear skies – we couldn’t hope for better especially after hearing about 2007. Luckily we had applied our sunscreen before checking or bags. With the crowded corrals it was quite amazing how quickly the runners fanned out. We were never really impeded during the entire race.
Miles 1-7
During Miles 1-7, Glen and I were very relaxed and were taking it all in. Even at the early stages we were blown away by the crowd support and enthusiasm. There were so many supportive kids, parents, spectators handing out water, Gatorade, oranges, pop cycles candy, and high fives. We kept a close watch on the pace and felt like we had to constantly hold back to keep on plan, especially with the downhill course and crowd enthusiasm. We did look for a quick bathroom stop early on, but didn’t want to mess up our time or free style it in the wood line. I felt OK, but I think it was having an effect on Glen. Several of Glen’s running partners from Austin passed us by, looking strong in the early stages with aggressive goals. One of his friends blew by us describing a sub 3 hour goal, we would later pass by him as he walked up the first Newton hill at around Mile 16.
Miles 8-15
Into Framingham and Wellesley it was just as everyone had described, huge charged crowds, musical bands including numerous Johnny Cash tributes, the smell of cookouts in the air. We both felt good through Wellesley. We could definitely hear the Wellesley girls a half mile out. As we went through the gauntlet I couldn’t believe the energy. One guy beside us claimed four pecks on the cheek. We wished we had known about this aspect of Wellesley. At any rate it was quite a motivation to have all these young women cheering so vociferously. We crossed the half way point in 1:36:44, right on track.
Miles 16-22
As we approached the downhill into lower Newton Falls, Glen mentioned that he was feeling some cramping and had to slow up. He motioned that I should continue on and that he would catch up. I continued to feel strong and felt that I could continue on the pacing plan that we had laid out and maybe even make up some time. In preparing for this race I had envisioned that we would cross the finish together and I had hoped that I would not slow him down. While both of us had a desire to run together and finish strong together, on a deeper level we are athletic competitors, not racing against each other, but striving to do our best in every race. Everyone on this earth only has so many marathons in them. One day we will no longer be able to race this distance. While young at heart, even the great Johnny Kelly eventually had to retire. So, when given the opportunity to run a marathon especially the top marathon in the world, I think one has to compete and run it at the very best of their ability – otherwise what is the point of it all? I don’t feel bad about leaving my brother behind and I know he would feel the same.
The bottom of lower Newton Falls felt more like the halfway point. I remembered that Steve Runner had said this is where you begin counting the 1st of four hills, with the first being the more challenging with the longer incline. Each of the hills did take some concentrated effort, no doubt, however, the downhill or flat portion following each hill did provide some unexpected recovery time and relief before the next challenge. At mile 17, I saw for the first time our wives, Shay and Wendi, both yelling notes of encouragement. It is such a rush to see familiar faces in the crowd. I motioned to them that Glen was right behind me. Seeing them also made me thankful for my beautiful family – a wife who is understanding of this time consuming pursuit and two beautiful daughters who are still curious about the notion of running all the time.
At the top of the goofy little speed bump at mile 21, I felt a huge sense of relief. I assessed myself and my time and overall felt good with my condition and ability to maintain the pace, especially given the notion that it was all downhill from here. The wind was noticeably in our face, but it had more of a cooling effect than being a hindrance to forward progress. It’s unbelievable and difficult to describe, but the crowds continue to build in size and enthusiasm as you approach Boston, which just reinforces to all the runners that this event is something very special. As I gazed at the beautiful spires of Boston College the spectators become more festive and I knew that the finish was within grasp. At each turn I continued to look for the skyline. I have to admit, at the first site of this Citgo sign marking the location of Fenway Park and the edge of downtown, it looks pretty far away. But I knew that this was a sign of the final stage and I still felt strong and continued to be inspired by the massive crowds along the course.
Miles 22-26.22
Glycogen wall? What’s that? One of the goals we had for the race was that we did not want to risk hitting a wall. Glen and I both hydrated well the night before, ate well the morning of, and equipped ourselves with six Cliff Shots each I was able to choke down five of the six shots that I had carried, trying to space them out on the half hours. As a result, I was lucky enough to stay clear of that much feared glycogen wall. The downhill nature of the course following the test through the Newton Hills was invigorating helping to overcome some of the stiffness in the quads. The one final challenge was an underpass on the edge of downtown. It’s amazing how even the slightest changes in elevation at this stage of the race are magnified on the physical and mental capacities of the body. On the uphill portion of this underpass I noticed how quiet it was and how all the other runners around me were extremely focused on this final incline. Coming out this section, the crowd support returned and I knew the finish was near – less than a mile. I noticed on my Garmin that I was close to my planned goal of 3:15. I dug deep in search of some untapped energy that would enable a strong final push. As we turned on to Hereford it was just as I had envisioned. So much crowd support, so many great runners who have seen this same sight and experienced these same feelings over the last 112 years. I felt the presence of all the previous great Boston runners: Bill Rogers, Alberto Salazar, Uta Pippig, Johnny Kelly Older and Younger and all the other greats.
Taking a left on to Boylston, the finish line in site – I knew I could push hard. I kept thinking – this is Boston, don’t leave anything back. I crossed the line – hands up – big smile for the camera – huge relief and sense of great accomplishment I glanced at my Garmin – 3:15:35 – it’s a new PR on the greatest Marathon course in the world - now where is my brother. As I waited right at the finish line, I witnessed many demonstrations of the glorious human spirit - that deep seated will to finish and to finish strong and proudly, many running and finishing for a special cause or in remembrance of a loved one. Several runners collapsed at the finish and needed immediate medical attention, many limped across the finish with cramped legs and severe blisters, while other exhibited enthusiasm that continued on down Boylston Street. While there is some pain at the finish, all of it is out shown by the huge sense of accomplishment. You can see it in everyone’s eyes – Hey I just finished the Boston Marathon! This is a lifelong accomplishment that no one can take away. Glen came through shortly thereafter and I witnessed his same sense of accomplishment and then relief to be at the finish. We received our medals and basked in the glory of a great race, reunion with our wives, and stories of this great adventure.
That night our two Aunts and their family came in from Plymouth and treated us to dinner at the Ye Old Oyster House near Faneuil Hall. We celebrated our accomplishment and enjoyed the company and reunion of family on this great day.
The next day we slept in, toured Harvard and Cambridge, and then headed for the Airport. We left Boston with lifelong memories of the magic of this marathon and with a strong sense that we must return to run it again as often as we are able.
Greg Olinger
Bib No. 7157
Boston PR: 3:15:35
